When do you use instead of in a sentence?

You use "instead of" in a sentence when you want to contrast two things. It means "in place of" or "rather than".

Here are some examples:

* Instead of going to the movies, we stayed home and watched TV. (Contrasting going to the movies with staying home)

* I'll have the salad instead of the burger. (Contrasting the burger with the salad)

* He used a pen instead of a pencil. (Contrasting a pencil with a pen)

Here's a breakdown of when to use "instead of":

* When you're replacing one thing with another: This is the most common use of "instead of".

* When you're making a choice between two options: You're choosing one option and rejecting the other.

* When you're comparing two things: You're highlighting the difference between the two options.

Remember: "Instead of" is a two-word phrase and should always be used together.